Thermaltake Level 10 case finally available for the low low price of . . . WTF?

[d_stilgar]

We've probably all seen it, the BMW designed Level 10 case from Thermaltake. Well it's finally available, but it's going to cost you more than a few months allowance.

http://www.liquidninjas.com/bbs/attachment.php?attachmentid=3683&d=1236412821

http://www.dvhardware.net/news/thermaltake_level_10_interior_techreport.jpg

First off, the case itself is $850! That's insane! It looks great, and probably functions well, but I can't seem to add up where all the money went. From my understanding, you will need extra long cables as well since everything is routed into the tower and hid away, but extensions aren't included. So, where exactly did all that money go? The second part of the bad news is that if you want to get it from our trusted friend newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133089&cm_re=level_10-_-11-133-089-_-Product), you will have to shell out $5000 in a combo deal to add to your cart at all. Ouch!

There are a lot of good looking cases out there for less. The HP Blackbird 002 can currently be found for as little as $700. I'll be getting one in a few years as they show up as outdated boxes on ebay. You could also go with Blackbird's kid brother, the Firebird for about the same price. There's also the new Aurora ALX from Alienware that seems to be winning my love, despite my DIY based bias for the brand in general, and it starts at $2300. It's hard to say a case is worth $850 when really gorgeous cases can be had with components for a fraction of the cost. That said . . . I want 'em all!

http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2007/12/lrg-466-hp-blackbird.jpg

http://images.dailytech.com/nimage/5829_large_hp_blackbird_2.jpg

http://www.techgadgets.in/images/hp-firebird-with-voodoo-dna.jpghttp://www.cbifamily.com/news/newssend/h001/h28/img200901091633430.jpg

http://i.dell.com/images/global/products/desktop-alienware/desktop-alienware-highlights/alienware-aurora-alx-design3.jpg

http://i.dell.com/images/global/products/desktop-alienware/desktop-alienware-highlights/alienware-aurora-alx-design4.jpg

http://i.dell.com/images/global/products/314x314/alienware-aurora-alx_314x314.jpg

http://www.geekiegadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/alienware-aurora-alx.jpg

[Oneslowz28]

The Level 10 is a special edition case. It commemorates Thermaltake's 10th year in the biz. You are paying for the design and status of owning one. IMO the thunderbird is a nice looking case but you can not compare a traditional box case with a modular case like the level 10.

[Zephik]

I'm not surprised, but I am still disappointed. It's also rather sad when companies lose sight of what's important like this. They become so concerned and invested into trying to portray their current status that they overlook all of the people who made them into who they are today. This is definitely not how I would thank all of those people. This is nothing more than a self pat on the back and the flexing of muscles.

At least we still have the Blackbird, which in my opinion is a much nicer looking case. And you get a pretty sweet computer along with it, too. For a hundred bones cheaper no less. Well, it's actually more like a couple thousand dollars cheaper at the moment, but that'll probably change in time just like the Blackbird did. I remember when the Blackbird first came out in... 2007? It was like four grand minimum, I think.

[slaveofconvention]

Hi priced special editions aren't unusual - was only a couple years ago the Lian Li commemorative case that looked like a seashell was hugely expensive. Sometimes these cases are about what they CAN do without the usual restraints caused by budget and manufacturing limitations. You see this all the time from auto retailers when they produce their concept vehicles and the like.

[d_stilgar]

I spent some time hunting online, if you aren't shopping at newegg you can get the case alone for about $650-700.

[artoodeeto]

you're also paying for the designers time. The companies know that they won't sell many of these cases, and so the price inevitably goes up as a result, since the cost of design is substantially higher than a normal case.
That being said, even if a grand was pocket change, I personally couldn't justify spending that much on a case. Especially when I can build a case myself. :) Not to say these folks shouldn't create these cases, I think it's great that they're pushing the boundaries of convention. I just prefer the price to stay conventional :P